maartje_volder's Reviews (578)

Spoiler

Fricking happy endings

I really liked the book, the diary form gives it some nice perspectives. I had some trouble because the first few chapters are really intimate and then the switch to Mina creates distance, an entrance into a new world far away from the sensation. After a few chapters I got back into the story as the intensity grew back.
The story is nice, the ending is not so much to my liking but the intensity of the story makes up for that.

This is one of these books that is in obvious ways worthy of the name classic. The language is beautiful, the story is well thought through, the main character appealing.

Still, the story could not really grasp me. Especially the first half was at times a bit dull. I could be reading, finish a page, be ready to turn it over and then come to the realization that I had read without reading. The story seems a bit shallow in the first part, which I think is due to the fact that we do not know Lily very well and any trouble she is getting into seems easy to repair. I do not like the book enough, if I did I would see that it is worth rereading when one knows what everything is leading to. Smaller hints would become more clear.

When things make a turn for the worst the book became more appealing to me, which is the reason I ended up giving 3 stars.

Spoiler

Lily is a stronger and a weaker woman than I am, both at the same time. She is an underdog in her world, but she has weapons, but her character and nature do not allow her to use her weapons. It is her greatest feature and doom.

Regarding the title, I was happy enough to come across it. The title does not seem to have a clear connection to the book, but this quote from the Bible might have been more common knowledge when the story came out.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Spoiler

sleep well little fool

Ow Nabokov, if only you used your writing powers for good. I have read about 5 different books whilst reading this one, just because I was too much at times. Especially after part I.

Spoiler

All hope is lost after part I, because even though you know this is not going to end well, it is shattering to know he has had his way.

The realism of the book, the way you see the world through a 'villains' mind, it is admirably done. Still, I would not recommend it for the weak of hearts, because it will break you.

I am a sucker for fairytales and thus Sapkowski had me hooked. The book has the right amount of sex appeal (knowing the game I was half expecting porn), references to fairy tales so you see them in a different light, and a mysterious story line of its own.
I liked how the story was woven between the main story and the stories that connect to the current situation.
But I have been spoiled by big books that are complete on their own. The main story line is incomplete, it has hardly started! I know it is a series but it just bothers me.

It's a fun little story but I don't feel it comes to life in the form of a book. I can see that this story would work well on stage, but as a written piece of work it lacks for me.

Almost all series have this problem that there is a greater plan and/or goal, but the fine details are not decided yet when the first book is written. So these gaps get filled in along the way. I hate that. It gives that feeling of 'oh your in trouble? Did I ever mention that *insert fix*

I can understand that it might be hard to avoid, but seeing as this story started out as a long journey, it would have helped if it was better planned.

Still, I like the characters. I have become attached to them and curious to see if they will get where they are going. I just hope the 4th book is better and has less predicable pieces. Because I must say, if a plan is made, you can see the hints being dropped in previous books and it flows together so smoothly to a plot or twist: the writer does know how it is done. Just wish he would do it more often

I liked this book because it was something else. The characters are bad people with real emotions. Most novels of that day and age are focused on how characters keep up appearance whilst feeling so much they do not express.
The end went south for me though. The last chapter was a Stephen King twist which felt a bit cheap. If Brontë wanted to write a book about mythical creatures, she should have done so, but not introducing the subject in the last 30 pages. No hints towards fantasy were giving before that point.

Sometimes you can see why something is regarded as a classic, but it just isn't your cup of tea. This book had that feeling for me.

I think it gives an accurate picture of what it was like for Southern black woman in that day and age, but for me these issues have rarely been present in my (European) life, I have difficulty to relate. I can't say that the style of writing was my thing as well, I know you should see the bigger picture through the simple lines, but I gosh darn started to feel limited in my own vocabulary when reading this here book.

What saved the book a bit for me is that when, about 2/3rd in, the main character starts to develop herself. It has a nice plot twist as well, and you leave with a happy feeling. Still, would not read again.

I liked the flow of this work better then most of Poe his work, but it is an unfulfilling story. It seems to have a happy ending, but I cant help it; I never expecting a happy ending from Poe.
It seems this work was just a start in a bigger idea, a chapter for a larger novel. It was alright but not great.